History of Kolehmainen Real Estate and Insurance
--Kolehmainen Insurance & Real Estate was founded 30 years ago by Phil Kolehmainen Sr., with a small office located in the Finnish Mutual Building in Hancock Michigan (Known as Northern Mutual) on the third floor. The joke around Hancock was "if you could make it up 3 floors, you are eligible for health insurance as you must be in shape." Approximately 3 years after the initial office was opened, Phil expanded to Ironwood Michigan, still keeping his residence in White Pine which is between Ironwood and Hancock. Approximately the same time, he moved Hancock office to Houghton. After running both of these offices for about 5 years, he then opened up the Ontonagon office. At this time, he ran 3 offices plus for a short period he had one in Virgina, Minnesota. Due to the miles involved, he had to dispose the Virgina operation. During all of this period and up to 2 years ago Kolehmainen Insurance was an exclusive insurance agency (meaning one carrier only) and Phil was one of the top sales agents of his company and won numerous awards and trips abroad. Phil Jr. took over his Houghton Office and remains an exclusive agency for Farmer's Insurance Group, whereas Sr.'s offices are now independent and have many carriers to choose from. In addition, the real estate agency is also independent and has real estate agents who will list your property and help you sell it without regard to minimum commission, or if it has a low selling price. Phil could see the demand for services to all individuals, as many real estate agencies only want to have the higher end more expensive properties to market and have minimum commissions to contend with.
--Kolehmainen Insurance is also involved with investments such as IRA's, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Annuities, and all other insurance.
--Phil is a certified Real Estate Instructor with the
National School of Real Estate and conducts a 40 hour
Pre-Licensing Course for new trainess several times a year.
He is very active in community affairs, serving as Ontonagon Family Ind. Agency (Social Services), for Ontonagon county as Chairman of the Board, Chairman of Michigan Works Workforce Board for the western U.P., past vice president of the Ontonagon Economic Development Board (20 years), at one time was the President of 5 Habitat for Humanity organizations (founder of the Ontonagon affiliate) and serves as Chairman elect of the U.P. Rural Health Association board with clinic's throughout the U.P., and is on the U.P. Emergency Medical Association board. Kolehmainen Real Estate is a member of the Range Real Estate Brokers Association (which is similar to an MLS) so Ironwood Real Estate agencies will all assist in marketing efforts with all listed properties.
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